Gustav overview
His shard generation combines especially well with effects that shield whenever shards are gained. Alternatively, he can supply large amounts of mana regeneration to non-Mystics. The mana route has a real economy cost and can be unsafe before its payoff arrives.
How to use Gustav
Game plan
- Use shard generation when shield-on-shard synergies are available.
- Use the mana route to support heroes that otherwise cast too slowly.
- Let him fill the tank slot only when the team lacks a dedicated tank.
Items
- Stack mana regeneration and starting mana in support roles.
- Add defense items when he is responsible for tanking.
Positioning Keep support Gustav protected; move a tank-built version forward only when he is the team's frontline.
Source limits The Investor may do little when the run cannot safely maintain its shard payment.
Gustav upgrades
Rank B cards and A/S pools are current to Demo 0.5.5. The guide itself remains tied to the older video patch; notes appear only when the video covers a choice. The tank-flavored path is a useful emergency role conversion.
The Investor
Discussed in sourceAt start of combat, spend 4 Shards to give Gustav an Investment. Give all Heroes 2 Mana Regen per Investment. Backup. Every 5 Investments, gain 30 Shards.
The Glacier
Game data onlyGain the Tank class, 40 Defense, and -1 Attack Range. Blizzard applies 0 (+75 Defense) more Shields and always targets Gustav. After Stall (25 and Stall 50), permanently gain 2 (+2 Rank) Defense.
The Avalanche
Discussed in sourceOn cast, gain 1 Shard. On Shards generated, gain 1 Mana Regen and 5 Magic.
Class modifiers
A and S use the same pool. Each rank adds one modifier. Offers are random; S excludes the modifier already owned. Base pools always apply; a Via pool applies only when that Rank B path is selected.
MysticBase class15 modifiers
Stall Certainty
Mystic / TankStall abilities trigger 6 seconds faster. Backup.
Mystics gain 1 Mana Regen for each reroll this game. Backup.
Every other cast, gain 3 Shards.
Backup Only: At start of combat, gain 5 Shards and give Heroes 500 (+500 per rank) Shields.
On Stall trigger, gain 1 Shard and give Heroes 3 Mana Regen. Backup.
After Stall (30), permanently gain 4 Mana Regen.
When this Hero applies Shields, apply 50% more Shields.
On cast, give other Heroes 100% Mana Regen Attack and 100% Mana Regen Magic.
At start of combat, give this Hero and adjacent Heroes 400 (+250% Magic, +1000% Mana Regen) Shields.
Backup Only: At start of combat, give Heroes 4 (+4 per rank) Mana Regen, 50 (+25 per rank) Attack, and 50 (+25 per rank) Magic.
On cast, give the lowest percent health Hero 100 (+500% Mana Regen) Shields.
On cast, permanently gain 2 Magic.
On cast, increase the amount of each Debuff on enemies in range by 50% Mana Regen.
On cast, gain 1 Mana Regen for each type of Debuff on all enemies.
On cast, give the lowest percent health Hero 1 Shield per 2 Debuffs on all enemies.
TankVia The Glacier15 modifiers
After Stall (30), heal 100% Max HP, gain 100 Mana, and gain +25% Defense.
Stall Certainty
Mystic / TankStall abilities trigger 6 seconds faster. Backup.
On Stall trigger, gain 45 Defense.
When auto attacked, gain 1 Defense.
Distraction
Tank / VanguardAfter Stall (10, Stall 20, Stall 30, Stall 40, and Stall 50): Taunt all enemies.
Tanks gain +33% Defense against damage from enemies with Frost. Backup.
When auto attacked, deal 50% Defense damage to adjacent enemies.
Tanks gain 1 Attack and 1 Magic per 2 Defense they have. Backup.
When auto attacked, inflict 1 (+1 per 100 Defense) Frost on the attacker (Max: 6).
When auto attacked by an enemy with Frost, gain 2 HP/S.
When auto attacked, inflict 1 (+1 per 120 Defense) Poison on the attacker (Max: 6).
When auto attacked by an enemy with Poison, gain 2 HP/S.
Tanks gain +33% Defense against damage from enemies with Poison. Backup.
This Hero gains +20% Defense for each enemy targeting it.
At start of combat, if this Hero is in the back row all Heroes gain +75% Defense.
Single-hero sandbox. The source names The Avalanche, so it is preselected. Position, items, teammates, and relics are left blank.
